Is Carrawell on way out?

Isaac Fontaine planed in this morning but Alaska coach Tim Cone isn’t sure of suiting up the former Memphis Grizzlies guard against Purefoods in the first game of a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Reinforced Conference twinbill at the PhilSports Arena today.

"Don’t know if he’ll play right away," said Cone in a text message yesterday.

Aces import Chris Carrawell is still in town and may be given one last chance to prove himself. Earlier, Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo admitted Cone is evaluating Carrawell’s performance on a game-to-game basis.

Carrawell, however, may be near the end of the line–if the door hasn’t closed on him yet. Alaska is winless so far and has slumped to three straight losses.

Fontaine, 28, saw action for the Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2001-02, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds in six games. The 6-4, 210-pound hotshot averaged 16.7 points and shot .457 from three-point range in four years at Washington State.

Known as a prolific scorer, Fontaine hit at a 21.4 clip for LaCrosse in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 2000-01. This past season, he led the Mobile Revelers to the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) title. Fontaine netted a team-high 19 points in Mobile’s 75-72 win over Fayetteville in the championship game last April.

If Fontaine sees action for Alaska, it’ll be his second stint in the PBA. He averaged 34.5 points in four games as Joe Temple’s replacement for Sta. Lucia Realty in the 2000 Governors Cup. Sta. Lucia posted a 1-3 record with Fontaine in the lineup.

Carrawell, 25, has been a disappointment this season. Last Saturday, Carrawell held Damien Cantrell to only three points in the first period but the Talk ‘N’ Text import went on to hit 30 as the Phone Pals trounced the Aces, 84-79, in Urdaneta. Carrawell scored 21 points on 8-of-22 from the floor and 5-of-9 from the stripe.

In the Second Conference last year, Carrawell averaged 21.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists as Alaska took fourth place. His showing was respectable but he played alongside another import Ajani Williams. Now, Carrawell is on his own and he’s feeling the pressure of playing a go-to role.

Carrawell has been such an offensive bust that with the game on the line, he isn’t stepping up to take the big shot–passing off instead to John Arigo. Apparently, he’s lost his self-confidence. In three outings so far, the former Duke University star is shooting .407 from the field and .355 from the stripe. He’s 0-4 from the three-point arc. In Alaska’s scheme of things, Carrawell isn’t even the first offensive option–a rarity for an import, considering he’s expected to do it all. Worse, his defense is far from consistent. He starts off strong but tapers off in the late going.

Alaska’s slump has baffled fans. Fresh from capturing the Invitationals crown, the Aces are playing listlessly. Could it be a case of battle fatigue or championship hangover or Carrawell’s inability to take charge? Whatever, the Aces are badly in need of an import who can lift team morale and get the locals back on track. Who can get the job done? Will Cone risk another loss by playing Carrawell against Purefoods or will Fontaine try to put an end to Alaska’s losing streak?

Postscript. Here are excerpts from other readers’ e-mail. Dennis Pabalan of [email protected]: Darrell Garretson knows enough about the business to figure out who qualifies as an arbiter. He was here a month to evaluate and monitor the abilities of the PBA officiating staff. Garretson has no blinders, no biases and no favorites. He did his job with only the league’s best interests in mind" ... Rene Chanco of [email protected]: "I appreciate your article on the Duke guys. I have been following NCAA basketball here in the US and I know Duke is one of the best. When I was in the Philippines, I enjoyed watching Alaska. I know they just won a championship. Do you know if there is a way to purchase a copy of the championship game and the post-game interviews?" Rico Pilares of [email protected]: "I would like to know how I would be able to purchase a video of the recent Toyota-Crispa revival game? I live in Austin (Texas) and do not have a Filipino channel here." To Rene and Rico, send your inquiries to the PBA, 3rd Floor, Building A, Philsports Complex, Meralco Ave., Pasig, Metro Manila or call 6381815 to 17. Check out the PBA website on how to e-mail your inquiries ... Anthony Ross Nanas of [email protected]: "I am from Talisay City, Cebu. You’re the No. 1 sports columnist I recognize in the country and also as an analyst. I’m a very big fan of yours. I’m a supporter of the PBA and whomever the Board supports. That’s why they put Commissioner Eala in the position because they know what he can do for the league" ... Ryan A. of [email protected]: "I believe your column ‘Taking a bash’ or at least the first three paragraphs should be reprinted in the Opinions page as the main editorial of the day" ... Dave of [email protected]: "I’m an avid follower of your column. I would like to inquire about the status of the following basketball players–Paul Scranton, Tom Cowart, Billy Robinson, Cisco Oliver, Byron Jones, Carl Bird, Ansley Truitt, Dean Tolson, Donovan McBride of the Clark Diplomats, Billy Ray Bates and Jeff Moore." I found out from former Portland coach Jack Ramsay during the NBA Finals last June that Bates is in a New Jersey jail for armed robbery. Moore has settled in Mexico and still plays in the Mexican league. Tolson went back to school and earned a degree after playing here. Jones works for a maintenance company in San Francisco. If readers know of the whereabouts of the other players, please drop us a line.